Estimating the Population of Free-Roaming and Owned Dogs and the Gastrointestinal Parasite Burden in Owned Dogs in the C...

Material Information

Title:

Estimating the Population of Free-Roaming and Owned Dogs and the Gastrointestinal Parasite Burden in Owned Dogs in the Capital City of Quito, Ecuador A Baseline Study for Future Animal Health and Welfare Interventions

Notes

Abstract:

Background: In 2011, authorities of Quito, Ecuador, approved an Ordinance to promote public health and animal welfare. Two limitations are that current population of dogs is not known, and the relationships between dog abundance, socio-economic factors, prevalence of dog with gastro-intestinal (GI) parasites and pet ownership responsibility has not been investigated in Quito.
Objectives: (i) To estimate the population of stray and owned dogs in Quito (ii) To examine relationships between studied household factors and pet ownership responsibility and (iii) To estimate the prevalence of and household factors associated with a positive diagnosis of GI parasites in owned dogs.
Methods: Stray and owned dogs from 65 parishes in Quito were considered for inclusion in this study. To accomplish the first objective, space-based, random sampling procedures recommended by the World Society for the Protection of Animals were used. A survey with instruments (indexes) to investigate Living Conditions (LCI) and Pet Ownership Responsibility (PORI) was prepared. Canine fecal samples were collected for diagnosis of GI parasites. Linear regression models were used to calculate dog abundance parameters (e.g., human-to-dog ratios). Logistic regression was used for identification of investigated factors associated with PORI and a positive diagnosis of GI parasites.
Results: Data from 16 investigated parishes revealed an estimated human:free-roaming dog ratio=49:1; a human:owned dog ratio=3.5:1. A low human:free-roaming dog ratio was associated with high poverty rates (beta=-0.77;r=0.77;R2=0.59;p<0.01), households with low PORI were associated with low LCI and at least 2 dogs in the households (p <0.01). The overall prevalence of households with dogs with GI parasites was 28% (95%CI =21, 37%). Ancylostoma spp was the most frequent parasite. We failed to identify risk factors associated with a positive diagnosis of GI parasites in dogs.

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In the series University of Florida Digital Collections.

General Note:

Includes vita.

Bibliography:

Includes bibliographical references.

Source of Description:

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page.

Source of Description:

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Statement of Responsibility:

by Colon Jaime Grijalva Rosero.

Thesis:

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Florida, 2014.

Local:

Adviser: HERNANDEZ,JORGE A.

Local:

Co-adviser: CRAWFORD,PATTI C.

Electronic Access:

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